Archive of Our Own

It is something that Shoyo never expected to hear, but it's not really surprising at all, either. But what was that feeling? He couldn't help but furrow his eyebrows every time he hears anything about it.

“Is it true?” one of the girls from his class asked.

“I don't know, but just like what we heard from the other class, he seems close with that girl.”

“Hey, are you okay? You're planning about confessing to him, right?”

“How can I do that when Kageyama-kun has a girlfriend now?”

Right. That's the rumor that has been circulating among first years for almost two weeks already.

Kageyama Tobio has a girlfriend.

Kageyama is kinda popular among girls... and some guys (only because of his looks! Shoyo would not let that information pass) around their year level, so news like that could spread as fast as wildfire.

The first time someone asked him about it, he almost burst out laughing. “Pfft. Kageyama? That's impossible.”

Apparently, it's possible.

The rumor didn't stop, and it became a really hot topic when someone took a picture of Kageyama with a girl— though it was only their backs that was captured, but one look at the picture and Shoyo knows that it's really Kageyama's back. And because he was seen as the closest to Kageyama, he became the target of answering the questions of his classmates and students from the other classes.

He always says that he doesn't know because he really doesn't know anything about it. Kageyama isn't one to share anything that isn't related to volleyball, and Shoyo, in his wildest dreams, would never ever ask about it.

But he's really curious about it too.

He thought that in a day or two, the topic will eventually die down, but no, and he could never expect that a rumor about Kageyama would reach for two weeks, and he's getting really annoyed by it. Every time he hears his classmate talking about it, he's fighting the urge to not yell at them that it's not true, even though he himself doesn't really know anything about it.

He's also annoyed with Kageyama. It's impossible that he hasn't heard the rumor about him, so why is he not saying anything to him?

It's not that Kageyama has an obligation or something to explain it to him, he knows that, but they are friends, aren't they? Isn't it already a given to explain to him what's really happening?

Tsukishima doesn't really care about it, oh what can he expect? Yamaguchi and Yachi are also curious about it, but as good friends as they are, they said that they will just ask Kageyama about it when the rumor dies down. Shoyo was fighting the urge to tell them to ask Kageyama about it already, because why do they need to wait for the rumor to die down? It's not like it will make any difference. Their senpais are also very curious about it, too.

As annoyed and irritated as he could get whenever a classmate or someone from another class asks him about it, he's just smiling through it. It's not like he can just suddenly snap at them. They are just asking questions because he's the closest person they know with their crush.

Why the hell can't they just go straight to Kageyama and ask him about his 'girlfriend'? They keep asking him questions about it when he already said that he doesn't know anything about it. Are they doing that on purpose? For what? To annoy him? To ruin his day?

Shoyo takes a deep breath.

He doesn't even know why he's getting very irritated with that rumor. Kageyama is still practicing with him as usual. It's not like their time practicing together has reduced just because he has now something or someone to give his attention to other than volleyball.

Oh, that stings.

Wait, no! Shoyo chuckles. Why would that sting?

Anyway, he doesn’t like any of it. The rumor and the people keep asking him about it.

…and Kageyama having a girlfriend.

He doesn’t believe it, either, even if there's proof— a photo of Kageyama with a girl holding his arm.

Or maybe, he just doesn’t want to believe that it’s not real.

The first time he saw that photo, he couldn’t sleep that night. Every time he closed his eyes, he kept remembering that photo. He was so frustrated with himself because he couldn’t understand why he was reacting that way.

Shoyo can’t stand being in his classroom, either. He keeps hearing about the rumor, like does his classmates, especially the girls, don't have anything to talk about? Kageyama having a girlfriend has been their topic for two weeks already. Don’t they get tired of bringing it up every time they get a chance? That’s why he has been staying at the gym even if there’s no reason for him to go there at all.

The rumor reaches its third week and it becomes a hotter topic than it did for the past two weeks because a lot of Kageyama’s admirers have finally seen his ‘girlfriend’. According to them, the girl is tall, maybe about Kageyama’s ears. She has short, black hair with bangs, fair skin, and blue eyes. Shoyo thinks they’re just bluffing cause except for the height; they’re just basically describing Kageyama.

But with many people witnessing Kageyama being picked up by a girl after class, does that mean the rumors are true?

When Shoyo realizes that, his mood drops to the point that he doesn’t understand why he’s feeling like that. He can’t even fake a laugh or smile. His classmates, and also people from the team are also weirded out by how there’s a scowl in his face.

“Are you okay?” Kageyama asks, awkwardly. They are currently doing their usual extra practice.

“Why?” Shoyo questions back.

Kageyama shrugs before getting a ball and do a serve. “You are usually loud and smiley. You’re not like that today.”

Shoyo fights the strong urge to roll his eyes and ask, ‘Why don’t you ask yourself why I’m like this?’ Instead, he takes a deep breath, gets a ball, and makes a serve. “There’s just something in my mind today.”

Kageyama only looks at him and doesn’t say anything further.

Days pass, and of course, the rumor is still there. Yup, it’s still a rumor because no one can prove that the girl that is being seen with Kageyama is his girlfriend. So, unless Kageyama confirms it, the rumor will remain a rumor.

That’s when Shoyo decides that he will prove that it’s not true. Not that he’s planning to broadcast to everyone whatever he's gonna find out, it’s only for his own peace of mind. He hates the fact that Kageyama is seeing someone, regardless of not knowing why he’s feeling like that. So, for his own peace, he is going to investigate Kageyama and see if he can get anything that can help him sleep at night.

So what is he planning to do?

He’s going to follow Kageyama on his way home.

Yes, yes. He knows. That’s not the best plan and absolutely not the best thing to do but that’s the only thing Shoyo can think of. The mysterious girl is always seen picking up Kageyama after school so if he follows Kageyama, then he might have a clue who the girl is and what exactly is her relationship with Kageyama. He already said that he’s not gonna ask Kageyama about the rumor, and that will still stand. Ever.

“Oh? This is new,” Sugawara says. “You’re late for the morning practice.”

Shoyo scratches his head. “I’m sorry, senpai.”

“I mean you’re just on time before the practice starts, but Kageyama has been here for thirty minutes already.”

Shoyo looks at Kageyama who’s currently practicing with Tanaka.

“I woke up late today.”

“So it’s Kageyama’s win today, huh?”  Sugawara grins. “Do your stretches now if you don’t want your setter to blow fire on you because you’re late.”

Shoyo bows and starts doing stretches.

Of course, what he reasoned with Sugawara-senpai was a lie. He definitely didn’t wake up late. It’s because he decided not to bring his bike because it's the day he decided to follow Kageyama. And because he’s not used to commuting on the way to school, he couldn’t estimate how long the walking distance is from his house to the bus station. He was already walking on the high hill he always passes by when he realized that he made a wrong decision about leaving his bike.

When he enters the court, he makes himself ready in case Kageyama nags him about being late— cause that has happened before for a couple of times already— but Kageyama only looks at him and asks him if he’s all set to practice. Weird but okay, Shoyo thinks because why is Kageyama suddenly kind? Suspicious.

The whole day, Shoyo is just waiting for the time they go home. He’s so fidgety, he can’t stand still. He can’t wait to follow Kageyama so that he can gather information that can make his mind finally at ease after weeks of feeling tortured by the rumor.

“Where’s your bike?” Kageyama asks when he sees him walking to him in the gate.

“Huh? Uhm, the tires are flat so I left it at home today,” he answers. Geez, his lies. Shoyo’s rolling his eyes to himself.

“That’s the reason why you’re late this morning?”

“Hmm.” Shoyo nods. “Also, I’m not used to commuting when going to school so…” He lets out a soft sigh. At least, there’s a little truth behind it.

They started walking home and they are both quiet. Well, Kageyama is always quiet and he’s always the one babbling about random things he can share with Kageyama. But at the moment, he can’t think of anything to say to Kageyama because he can’t stop thinking about how he will follow him? How long should he keep his distance to Kageyama? He also kinda wishes for the girl to suddenly show up or pick up Kageyama randomly while they are walking together because if that happens, he doesn’t have to follow Kageyama on his way home anymore, and he can have the answers that he needs on the spot.

“Why are you so quiet?” Kageyama suddenly asks.

“There’s just something in my mind.”

“Is it… still the same problem you had in mind before?” Shoyo looked at Kageyama when he sounded like he hesitated to ask that question.

“Before?” He tilts his head.

“Yeah, when we were practicing together last time. You said that there was something running in your mind that day.”

“Oh.” The day when he realized that the rumors might be true.

“You’re also not as hyper as you usually are.” Kageyama shrugs. “That might be better actually because my head hurts when you’re being too loud and jumpy.”

Shoyo gives Kageyama a glare. “Then I will be louder until your head explodes.”

Kageyama scoffs. “Do that, then. Let’s see who can give you the tosses that you want.”

Shoyo chuckles. “Confident much? I still have Sugawara-senpai, you know. He might not be as good as you but he’s still a decent setter. And for your info, I love to hit his tosses just as much as yours.” Then he sticks out his tongue.

Kageyama arches an eyebrow. “Ah, really? Good to know. And do you realize that you just admitted how much you love hitting my tosses?”

“I said I love hitting your and—”  emphasizing the and “— Suga-san’s tosses. It’s not just yours, don’t be cocky about it.”

“Whatever. Same thing.”

“Tss.” He rolls his eyes.

“Fix your bike tonight so we can have longer practice tomorrow before the classes starts,” says Kageyama when they are about to reach the spot where they usually part ways.

Shoyo nods his head. “Yes. Yes, your majesty.”

“Tsk. Dumbass.” Kageyama says before he starts walking his own way home.

Shoyo starts walking his way, too. He counts thirty seconds before turning his head to see if his distance with Kageyama is safe enough to start following him. When it does, he turns around and walks to the way where Kageyama is walking.

Shoyo still hasn’t had the chance to visit Kageyama’s house (and vice versa) so he doesn’t exactly know how far they would walk. He prays that Kageyama’s house isn’t as far as his because he might just give up halfway because he can’t risk going home too late without his bike.

It didn’t take them long when they entered a subdivision. Ah, right. He almost forgot that Kageyama is an elite and he only entered a public school because he didn’t pass the entrance exam in his dream school. (Also, Shoyo thinks that Kageyama doesn’t really have that rich kid vibe compared to his former teammates in middle school.)

A few turns here and there before Kageyama stops in front of one of the houses and enters the gate.

Shoyo walks in front of the house that Kageyama entered and stares at it.

So, what happened? Except where the setter lives, he didn't gather anything today.

He sighs. This is stupid. Of course, he should've known that following Kageyama will not lead him to something if the girl is not going to appear. He needs the girl to appear first then he can spy all he wants.

Feeling dejected, he turns around and starts walking his way home.

**

The next day, he came to school ten minutes earlier than Kageyama. He quickly brags it to Kageyama as it is his win today but as always, Kageyama has an annoying response to anything he says. “Oh, you mean you made up for today because you’re late yesterday?”

Shoyo clicks his tongue. He can’t even celebrate his win because of how killjoy Kageyama is.

Just like the previous day, Shoyo is just waiting for the day to end so that can finally follow Kageyama on his way home again.

While going home yesterday, Shoyo was thinking what he should do to gather information except for just simply following Kageyama. That’s what he did yesterday and he didn’t get anything. Except if the rumored girlfriend shows up, he could try his best going near them to listen to their conversation. 

Is it stupid? Shoyo does think it’s stupid when he can just ask Kageyama directly about it. He doesn’t even know what’s stopping him. Is it pride? Or maybe ego? When Kageyama had his first confession behind their building, he was the one who teased him about it first. Who knew that the grumpy Kageyama would suddenly receive a confession? Then he found out that Kageyama is actually popular among their year level. He could still remember his reaction when he heard girls talking about him. Oh, how his eyebrows frowned because of it and how he hated that they thought that he was the volleyball team’s ace!

It’s not that he’s not happy about Kageyama having admirers. He appreciates the people who like him to be honest; be it because of his volleyball skills or only because of his looks. Shoyo does think that Kageyama deserves the attention he gets. But there's something about it that he doesn't like about. There’s that feeling in his chest that he can’t understand every single time that Kageyama is being pulled behind their school building. There’s that anxiety that Kageyama might accept one of the confessions he receives someday.

Until the rumor reached him. Well yeah, that was not really surprising considering the amount of confession that Kageyama already had. He literally stopped breathing for a couple of seconds the first time he was asked about it before he laughed, because really? Grumpy Kageyama was dating someone?

But he still doesn’t believe that the rumor’s true. He needs proof to believe it. He doesn’t believe the pictures, and the words from his classmates and schoolmates. He needs something that he himself would see or hear from the subjects of the rumor. That’s how he will decide if he’s going to believe if the rumor is right.

After all, he really can’t do anything about it if it's true, right?

“Dumbass Hinata! What are you doing?!”

He looks at Kageyama. “Huh?”

“Do that again and I will not give you tosses anymore today.”

Shoyo gulps before nodding. “…hai.” Kageyama is terrifying. He sighs. Geez, what did I even do?

“Hinata…”

Shoyo turns his head and sees that Sugawara is calling him. He walks to him and asks why.

“Is something on your mind?” Sugawara asks.

He tilts his head. “Why?”

“Uh, well, you seemed like you forgot to hit the ball Kageyama gave to you.”

“Oh.” He lets out a small laugh as he puts a hand in his nape. “I didn’t notice. I was probably thinking about something the moment I jumped. I’m sorry, senpai.”

Sugawara chuckles while slightly shaking his head. “You should say that sorry to Kageyama, not to me.”

Probably not. That word is not a thing between the two of them. He just needs to make sure not to do the same mistake twice or he would experience the wrath of the great Kageyama Tobio.

Shoyo did focus after that and even in the after-class practice. He can see that Kageyama’s satisfied with the focus he gave to the practice, too— though he knows that Kageyama would never say it out loud. He probably even knows what that guy would say if he ever pointed out how focused he was.

“Let’s go?” he asks after he picks up his bike.

Kageyama straightens his back as he nods, then they start walking home.

One thing that Shoyo likes about Kageyama is that he always waits for him at the gate while getting his bike. Shoyo doesn’t know how or when it started, but it’s just probably because they walk in the same way until they part in a particular spot. Also, Kageyama informs him in advance if he can’t walk with him. Come to think of it, Kageyama did inform him that he wasn’t going to walk with him days before the rumor exploded. Shoyo sighs softly. Why did he just realize that? Not that it still matters, though.

“Does your problem still not solved?” Kageyama suddenly asks.

“Problem?”

“The one that’s been bugging you for days now.”

Ah. “Ah, that?” You’re literally my problem. “Not yet, but I’m solving it now… kinda.”

Kageyama slowly nods.

Shoyo was about to let it pass when he realized that Kageyama asked about it again. He looks at him with furrowed eyebrows and narrowed eyes. Kageyama probably felt his eyes on him so looked back, but with a confused expression. “What?”

Is Kageyama concerned about him? Or does his problem affect their practice after all?

Hmm… he doesn’t think so.  Of course, with volleyball practice, he always does his best. He just lost a little focus this morning.

“Nothing,” he says as he returns his gaze on the road.

Of course, Kageyama is not convinced. “What is it?”

“Nothing, Kageyama-kun.”

The setter scoffs but doesn’t say anything anymore.

A few more minutes of walking together, Shoyo says his goodbye. Kageyama gives him a nod before continuing his way.

Shoyo starts walking, too, but he keeps looking at his back, to Kageyama. Compared to the previous day, he has his bike today. He’s thinking about how much distance he should keep so that Kageyama won’t notice him or hear his bike. He doesn’t want to get that far to Kageyama but he can’t estimate how close he should get to the person he’s trying to follow.

Shoyo turns his way around when he sees his distance is far enough to follow Kageyama. No, it’s actually just the same distance as yesterday. He’s itching to follow Kageyama already so hell with the distance, he just needs to be careful with his bike not to make a noise that can possibly take Kageyama’s attention and look at his back.

So far, so good... or not. It’s just the same as the previous day. Nothing’s happening. It’s just Kageyama walking on his own way home. Shoyo’s thinking that he should probably change his tactic to get information about the rumor. But how? What should he do? And why is the girl not showing up now that he’s following Kageyama?! That would be easier for him.

“Eh? Where is Kageyama going?” Shoyo says as Kageyama turns on the opposite way to his house. “Is he…?”

Shoyo bites his lip as his heart suddenly starts beating faster. Is it possible to see the girl tonight? He gulps.

Shoyo continues to follow Kageyama. He closes his distance with Kageyama a little bit because of the crowd, he can't lose sight of Kageyama now that he feels like he can finally see him with that girl, and possibly, confirm that Kageyama’s not in a relationship.

When Kageyama suddenly stops walking, Shoyo closes his distance a bit more. Kageyama takes his phone from his bag. A few seconds after when he put it in his right ear.

Shoyo tenses when Kageyama suddenly starts looking to his left and right like he’s looking for something, or someone. What if Kageyama turns his head to look behind him and sees him?  

Wait, why is he getting nervous in the first place? He can just say that he has something to do around the place. It’s not like the previous day where he followed Kageyama to his house. He can admit that that is a little weird because what is he doing around Kageyama’s neighborhood? He can’t think of any reason, compared to where they are right now. It’s easy to make an excuse like he has something to buy or something. When he realizes that, he releases the breath he didn’t notice he’s holding.

The call didn’t take long as Kageyama brought his phone back to his bag and started walking again. It doesn’t really take them long this time as Kageyama stops at a… Shoyo almost drops his jaw.

When Kageyama was assisted to go inside, Shoyo walked in front and took a good look. It’s a fancy restaurant and from its interior, he can already tell how expensive the food that the restaurant serves.

“Hi, are you going to dine it?” he looks at the host who assisted Kageyama and notices that he’s looking at him. Shoyo quickly shakes his head and takes a step away from the restaurant.

He sighs. As much as he wants to get nearer to Kageyama, he’s not going to sacrifice his whole month's allowance just to get inside the resto.

Good thing about the restaurant is that the inside can be seen outside because of the glass wall. Shoyo takes a step and looks inside.  Shoyo can’t help but feel amazed at the inside interiors, too. He’s thinking that he really can’t afford the food there even if he decides to spend his current month allowance. Anyway, where is Kageyama? It’s a little awkward to look at the people eating inside but it’s not like the people inside care though, so Shoyo thinks it’s fine.

There he is, Kageyama. He’s sitting at the center inside the restaurant and he is talking with someone. Shoyo looks at the person in front of Kageyama and… his breath halts. It’s her. The girl with short, black hair, and even from a distance, Shoyo can see that she has a fair skin color. If he can only see her eyes too. Shoyo remembers that his classmates said that she has blue eyes.  But anyway, she looks like she’s the girl he has been wanting to see.

Shoyo narrows his eyes as if that can make him see Kageyama and the girl better. What are they talking about? Kageyama looks so uninterested— but he always looks like that though, pfft— and the girl in front of him doesn’t seem to mind that Kageyama looks bored.

Shoyo smirks. He doesn’t know a lot of people who are in a relationship but he has seen a lot of romantic films already to know that those two are not in a relationship. They don’t look like those characters in a movie who look in love with each other. And Kageyama, that jerk, wouldn’t be that rude to his girlfriend if ever, right? Cause he doesn't even change the way he looks at the girl in front of him, though that’s how he always looks at everyone talking to him, except if the topic is volleyball, his face gets a little expressive when it comes to that. And the girl… the girl, she looks fine.

Anyway, they are not in a relationship. And Kageyama definitely doesn’t have a girlfriend like what the rumor says.

With that conclusion in mind, he looks at them for a minute more before he starts walking home.

Shoyo sleeps with a smile on his face that night.

**

Now, who is that girl?

That’s what Shoyo is thinking while biking on the way to school.

Except for Kageyama’s middle school teammates, Shoyo doesn’t know anyone who’s close with the setter. Come to think of it, Shoyo can’t remember if there was ever a time that Kageyama talked or shared anything about his family. While Kageyama probably already knows everything that’s happened in his life, he just doesn’t know anything about him… except for his love of volleyball.

They looked close though, Kageyama and that girl. Even if he’s convinced that they are not in that kind of relationship, Shoyo saw how comfortable he is with that girl. Not that he ever gets flustered whenever someone confesses to him, but Kageyama looked different with the girl who’s with him last night. Is she a friend? Best friend? Family? ...or ex-girlfriend?

Ugh, no. It’s impossible that Kageyama would be that comfortable with that girl if they were exes.

But is it really not possible? Just like he said, he doesn’t know anything about Kageyama. Who knows if he ever got into a relationship?

As Shoyo sees Kageyama walking to the entrance of their school, he shakes his head to brush his thoughts away. At least, for now, he knows that the rumor is not true.

His morning practice went well. No distractions. His mind is clear. He is noisy with Nishinoya and Tanaka as they always are. Same with the after-class practice. Shoyo just feels good, he can’t explain it.

“You seem fine today.”

Shoyo looks at Kageyama. “Hm?” They are currently walking home.

“I mean,”—the setter clears his throat—“does the thing that’s been bugging you for days finally solved? You looked better today than the previous days.”

Is… it okay to assume that Kageyama has been worried for him? How many times did Kageyama ask about his problem already?

Shoyo can’t help but smile.

If Kageyama does worry about him even a little, Shoyo can’t help but feel happy about it. Why? Because he cares.

“It’s still not solved…” Kageyama looks back at him. “But it’s getting there.”

They stare at each other for a few seconds before Kageyama nods his head and takes his look away from Shoyo. “I see. Good luck, I guess.”

Shoyo excitedly nods his head. “Hm!”

They make their way to Sakanoshita store as Kageyama wants to buy some meat buns. And as always, Coach Ukai is not the happiest to see them at that hour. As Shoyo and Kageyama know about that already, they both bow to their coach first before saying their sorry for adding an extra hour to their practice again. But it’s not like there is still something new about the freak quick duo, though he and Kageyama totally understand why the coach is strict with them.

“Six pork meat buns, coach,” Kageyama tells the coach.

“You’re buying that much?” he asks. “Can you even finish those?”

“What do you mean? I’m not the only one who’s going to eat those,” Kageyama says as he pays for the food.

“You’re not the only one?” Shoyo closes his fist.

Coach Ukai gives Kageyama his pork buns and once again reminds them to “Eat a proper meal, not only those, okay?”

They both bow to the coach before leaving the store.

Are they going to meet again? is what Shoyo is thinking.

Seriously, what is Kageyama’s relationship with that girl? Didn’t they just see each other last night? And seriously? Kageyama is going to give her his favorite food?

Shoyo bites his lip. Why is he even annoyed about it? What does he even care if Kageyama wants to give his favorite pork buns to other people?

“Tsk.”

“What?”

“Huh?” He looks at Kageyama. “What?”

The setter stares at him for a few seconds before shaking his head.

“…okay.” What was that? Weird.

“Here.”

“Eh?” Why is Kageyama handing him two of the pork meat buns that he bought?

“Take these.”

“Why?”

“You don’t want it?”

Kageyama is about to bring the pork buns to the paper bag he’s holding when Shoyo quickly grabs it from him. “I didn’t say anything? Of course, I want it. Just…” He put it in the basket of his bicycle. “Why suddenly?”

“What do you mean why? This isn’t the first time I've treated you pork buns.”

Shoyo thins his lips. “Right.” He nods his head.

Don’t smile. This isn’t the first time Kageyama bought him pork buns. But this is definitely the first time Kageyama bought him pork buns without forcing him or asking him to buy them for him. Shoyo appreciates it, really. Kageyama is thoughtful, sometimes. To things other than volleyball, he means.

But… there are still four more. Does it mean that Kageyama will still give the others to the girl, after all?

“Tsk.”

“Why do you keep clicking your tongue?”

“Me?”

Shoyo can swear that the look that Kageyama is giving him at the moment is telling him that he’s a dumbass. “Who else?”

“I’m not clicking my tongue, though.”

Kageyama looks done. “So you’re saying that it’s just my imagination?”

Shoyo grins. “Yes.”

Kageyama sighs and shakes his head. “Bye.” Then he continues to walk his way without giving him a final look.

“See you tomorrow,” he says.

Shoyo walks slowly as he watches Kageyama. And then when he’s far enough, Shoyo starts following him.

Just like the previous day, Kageyama walks the opposite way to his home. Where is he going this time?

They pass by the restaurant where Kageyama and the girl ate last night.

He doesn’t know why but his heart is pounding. What should he expect to see this time?

It doesn’t seem like he’s going to meet that girl though.

He continues to follow Kageyama until the setter enters to a… cosmetics shop? What is he going to do there?

Shoyo peeks inside the shop and he sees Kageyama talking with a staff member. It didn’t take long before the staff handed a big paper bag to Kageyama. They talk for a few seconds more before the setter gives the staff a final bow and starts walking outside the shop.

Shoyo’s eyes widens as he immediately starts walking away from the store. “Ah, stupid,” he whispers. He hopes for Kageyama not to look where he’s walking and just continue walking his way without minding anything else.

He watches Kageyama disappear from his sight and that’s when he starts walking his way home.

He sighs. Shoyo tries not to think anything about what he just saw. But Kageyama doesn’t seem the type of person who would go to a cosmetics shop in his free will… unless that paper bag is for the rumored girlfriend and Kageyama got it for her. Ah, Shoyo doesn’t like that thought at all.

Wait, didn’t he already have a conclusion where Kageyama isn’t in a relationship with that girl? What is he worrying for?

Shoyo lightly taps both of his cheeks. “Snap the out of it, Shoyo. That’s nothing.”

With that convincing he did for himself, he smiled while walking home. He thinks about the meat buns that Kageyama gave him. What’s better than having your favorite snack after getting dinner? With that thought, he becomes excited to go home.

**

“This is weird.”

“Yes, it truly is.”

“Kageyama is late for morning practice?”

Yes, Kageyama is still not in the gym and there’s only five minutes left before the morning practice starts.

Shoyo has been in the gym for almost an hour already and he has been waiting for Kageyama ever since. And because there’s no setter to toss a ball to him, Shoyo has been practicing his serves alone until his teammates come one by one.

When the clock strikes seven sharp, Shoyo loses hope for Kageyama to still attend the morning practice.

Thirty minutes of practice when Daichi announces that Kageyama is probably not going to attend the morning practice.

Because of that, Sugawara-san is the one who tosses for the whole team as he’s the only setter left.

They are all weirded out by that because the volleyball freak Kageyama Tobio misses a practice? Who would have thought? Even Tsukishima made a comment about it saying, “The king has finally learned the word absent, huh?”

It’s weird. Really weird. It feels incomplete without Kageyama, without his tosses. Without hearing him calling him dumbass. It’s so weird without his presence, that until the last minute of the practice, he keeps glancing to the entrance of the gym, still hoping for his setter— for the setter to come.

It’s in the class already when he heard his classmates talking about Kageyama came to school not too long ago and according to them, Kageyama was accompanied by the rumored girlfriend, with a car.

So he was with that girl so early in the morning that he sacrificed the morning practice?

Is he wrong after all? He keeps convincing himself that Kageyama isn’t in a relationship with anyone, that the rumor isn’t true, even after he saw them in a restaurant with just the two of them, he keeps believing that the rumor isn’t true. But with what happened this morning, Kageyama missing a practice and getting accompanied by that girl, he doesn’t know what to think anymore.

He chuckles.

It stings, that he can finally admit and he doesn’t even know why.

“You seem different today,” Kageyama quietly says while they are both walking home.

“Huh?” He takes a glance at him. “Ah, uhm…”

“Is it still the same thing as the previous days?” Shoyo can swear that he can hear the worry from Kageyama’s voice. He lets out a soft sigh because of it.

“Yeah. But…” He forces a smile. “I think I shouldn’t think about that anymore.”

“You said you were getting there.”

“That what I thought…” His smile disappears. “I guess I was wrong.”

Kageyama suddenly stops walking which makes him stop walking too and looks at the setter with confusion.

“Hinata…”

“Hm?”

Kageyama takes a deep breath. If Shoyo’s just in the mood, he would tease Kageyama because he looks like he’s thinking hard about whatever he’s going to tell him. But he’s not even in the mood to say anything so he just waits for Kageyama to say whatever he wants to say.

“Saying this is not a thing between us, but…” Kageyama bites a lip. He looks like he’s trying so hard to tell him whatever it is. And as always, Shoyo waits for it. He knows he’s always like that, he loves listening to whatever Kageyama tells him. Be it whatever and he’s going to listen to it. “You know you can tell or ask me anything, right?” His lips parted. That is what he can ever expect to hear, because just like what the setter said, saying that is not a thing between them— cause it just happens without them noticing. “If I can help with that problem of yours, you know you can just ask me anytime, right?”

You can’t. He smiles. “Of course, I know that. Just…” he shrugs. “I don’t think I should try solving this one anymore.”

Kageyama doesn’t look convinced. He never was when it comes to him. Shoyo doesn’t know if it’s a good thing or not. He likes to think it’s good though, Kageyama is making sure he’s being honest.

“If you ever change your mind, do not hesitate to come to me.”

He nods. “I won’t.”

They continue walking in silence after that. Shoyo says his goodbye as they part their ways and start walking on their own.

“Don’t look back,” Shoyo whispers to himself. His hold on the bike becomes tighter as he tries hard not to look at Kageyama.

But he’s always stubborn, isn’t he? Because just a few seconds after telling himself not to look back, he stops walking as his head turns to Kageyama.

Kageyama is far enough to follow him.

He shakes his head. He shouldn’t follow Kageyama anymore. There’s no reason for him to follow Kageyama.

But how stubborn he can be that even his own body is not listening to him?

Because the moment he saw the usual distance between him and Kageyama, his feet just started walking to the direction Kageyama was taking.

“Shit Shoyo. Are you trying to torture yourself?”

He quietly follows Kageyama.

Every step that he’s taking feels like he needs to prepare himself for whatever he may possibly witness.

He stares at Kageyama’s back. Shoyo raises his hand like he’s trying to reach the setter. “Look at your back at least once, Kageyama.” Because if Kageyama sees him… if Kageyama sees him then what? Shoyo doesn’t even know what he’s expecting to happen if ever Kageyama sees him.

As Kageyama takes the way opposite from his house once again, Shoyo drops his hand as his eyes move to the path he’s walking.

This has to stop, Shoyo thinks. This will be the last time he’s following Kageyama, he swears. Because what more that he needs? The answer to the rumor has always been there, he’s just too stubborn to accept it. He doesn’t want to believe it for some reason that he couldn’t grasp. It’s stupid to do what he has been doing from the start, after all. He’s being a stalker to his friend and volleyball partner. It has to stop.

When Shoyo looks in front of him again, the setter is gone. He tries looking everywhere, but Kageyama is nowhere to be found. Just how long did he stop looking at Kageyama's back for him to suddenly disappear?

He sighs.

Shoyo lost him.

That’s his sign to stop the stupidity that he has been doing. He turns to his back and starts walking home.

**

“Hinata…”

Shoyo looks at Yachi. “Hm?”

“Are you okay?”

“Why?”

“Just…” Yachi puts a hand in her nape. “I just noticed that you’re not as cheerful as you usually are these past few days.”

Oh. “Does it affect my performance during practice, Yachi-san?”

The manager shakes her head. “Not really. You’re always focused as ever. I guess I’m not just used to seeing you being a little quiet.”

“Sorry, Yachi-san—”

Yachi waves her hands. “Oh no, Hinata—”

“For making you worry.”

“You don’t have to say sorry about that, Hinata.” Yachi lets out a breath. “But yes, we are worried about you.”

“We?”

Yachi nods. “Hmhm. Me and Kageyama-kun.”

Shoyo feels his heart suddenly start beating faster. Kageyama is worried about him? Ah, well, that shouldn’t be a surprise anymore, should he? For how many times did Kageyama ask about him, and when he also offered his help the other night.

But Kageyama talks about him with Yachi?

“He asked me one time if you ever shared anything with me because you didn’t seem fine. I told him that you were not telling me anything, too. But as I watched you, that’s how I confirmed that Kageyama-kun’s right. It always seems like there’s something bugging in your mind whenever you’re not playing.”

“Oh, uh…” Shoyo doesn’t know what to think. First, Kageyama is really, like really worried about him? Second, Kageyama asked Yachi about him, cause he’s seriously worried? Third, Kageyama is worried about him.

“Sorry, Yachi-san.”

Yachi waves her hands again. “I told you, you don’t have to worry about that, Hinata. We’re worried because we’re friends, you know. We wonder how we can help you, especially Kageyama-kun.” Both their eyes move to Kageyama who is currently talking with the vice-captain. “He’s watching you more than you think, Hinata.”

“He’s watching me…?”

Shoyo looks at Yachi again and sees her smiling. “More than you think.”

More than I think.

“So if there’s anything that we can help you with, don’t ever hesitate to come to us, okay?”

Shoyo smiles as he nods his head. “Thank you, Yachi-san.”

Since it’s a Saturday practice, the team is done practicing by the afternoon. Tanaka and Nishinoya invited the team to hang out and everyone agreed to come. Until Kageyama breaks Shoyo’s excitement by announcing to the team that he can’t join them anymore without telling them why.

“Hinata.”

Shoyo looks at Kageyama. “Hm?”

“I’m going on ahead, is that okay?”

“Eh?” Is Kageyama asking for his permission? Eh? Why? “O-okay.” Shoyo answers while being confused. “Of course.”

Kageyama nods before he leaves the club room. “See you on Monday.”

Shoyo stares at the door. What just happened? He can’t think of any reason why Kageyama would ask for his permission to leave first. He never does that, and he can never think of it ever. Is Kageyama playing with him? Tsk.

“Oh, Kageyama left first? Is he going to meet his girlfriend again?”

Shoyo bites his lip when he hears Nishinoya says that.

No. He’s done following Kageyama. He’s not going outside, walking the same path that Kageyama took just to see him with that pretty girl. He’s not going to do it.

He’s not…

He’s…

…just so stubborn, isn’t he?

“Sorry, everyone. I can’t join you, too,” he says as he sprints out of the club room.

Shoyo runs as fast as he can and slows down as soon as he sees Kageyama walking at the entrance of the school. There’s a car waiting outside the school and Shoyo guesses that it’s waiting for Kageyama.

Shoyo isn’t wrong when the pretty girl he saw with Kageyama at the restaurant gets out of the car and greets the setter.

He quickly hides to the entrance wall before Kageyama or that girl notices him. Now that he thinks of it, this is the closest he watches Kageyama while he’s following him. He can even hear them talking.

“So, where is he?” the girl asks. Geez, why does her voice sound pretty too?

“He’s not here,” Kageyama answers. “Why do you keep asking about him?” Doesn’t he sound a little annoyed? He’s rude even to his girlfriend, huh?

The pretty girl doesn’t seem to mind the way Kageyama answered her as she only chuckles at that. “Well, why not, Tobio?”

Shoyo’s jaw almost drops. “Tobio?” he whispers. The pretty girl is calling Kageyama ‘Tobio’?

“I don’t know, Miwa-chan.”

Miwa-chan? That girl’s name is Miwa-chan?

“I don’t believe you. He seems like a volleyball freak like you, too. I bet he wouldn’t miss a practice even once.”

“Miwa-chan~ I told you he’s not here.”

They are that close already? To the point that they are calling each other’s first names? They seem very comfortable with it, too.

Shoyo clenches his fists. It’s like he already knows that he will not like anything that he will witness between the two but his stubborn ass still decided to follow Kageyama and now, he learns that they call each other by their first names and he doesn’t like it. There’s something in his chest that he can’t understand, and Shoyo thinks that he will never know what feeling that is because he only feels it because of Kageyama. The setter is the only reason why he’s become familiar with the feeling he can’t name.

The girl continues to laugh at Kageyama, probably to tease him more. “I will not stop asking about him until you decide to introduce us to each other.”

Shoyo hears Kageyama grunts.

“If you want me to stop, you know what to do, Tobio,” the girl continues.

Kageyama steps into the car. “Ugh, you’re the worst sis—” Shoyo is not able to hear the rest as Kageyama closes the door.

Shoyo steps outside the school grounds and watches the car leaving.

“Who is she looking for, though?” Shoyo wonders. “She seems persistent about meeting that one person in the team.”

Monday came and it’s that time of the month again. The most boring day for Shoyo because it’s the cleaning schedule of the gym and that means another rest day for the team. That doesn’t mean that that can stop him and Kageyama from practicing though, at least during the lunch break where they only eat five minutes before the ring bells.

The thing about him and Kageyama is that even without practice, they still wait for each other to walk home together. It doesn’t matter if one of them is assigned for classroom duties, they even help each other to finish it.

This day is not different from it. Shoyo is assigned for classroom duties and there’s Kageyama waiting for him outside the classroom. It didn’t take him long to finish his duties so he didn’t let Kageyama help him this time.

While walking home, Shoyo is ranting again about not having after class practice and how he’s itching to jump and hit a ball. Kageyama looks like he’s so done at Shoyo’s rant and tells him to do it at home for as long as he wants.

“Geez, what should I do by myself, Kageyama-kun? It’s not fun if you’re not there.”

Kageyama glances at Shoyo for a few seconds before he shrugs. “I don’t know. Play with the wall.”

Shoyo raises his fist like he is threatening to punch the setter. “Jerk.”

They walk in silence for a few minutes after that until Kageyama decides to break it by asking Shoyo, “Are you fine now?”

Shoyo’s breath almost halts. He doesn’t expect Kageyama to ask about him anymore because he tried his best to pretend he’s okay. Well, it’s not that he’s not totally fine but he just can’t help but to feel that way every time he remembers what happened that Saturday.

He nods and gives Kageyama a sincere smile. “Hmhm. I’m fine now.”

It’s just a split second but Shoyo saw that. Kageyama raises the side of his lip for a smile. He appreciates that, Kageyema is glad for him. “That’s good.”

“Yeah.” Then he looks at the sky. “It looks like it’s going to rain.”

Kageyama does it, too. “Yeah.”

They continue to walk in silence until they say their goodbyes and see you tomorrow to each other.

Shoyo is looking at the sky as he continues his own way. He’s worrying that the rain might suddenly fall because how would he know that it’s going to rain? The weather forecast that morning didn’t say anything about raining today. He doesn’t have an umbrella nor raincoat with him.

But how stupider can he be? Maybe he’s really a dumbass like what Kageyama always calls him. But maybe it’s also a reflex now because the moment he reaches that usual distance, he turns his head, looks at Kageyama, and before he knows it, he’s already taking light steps to follow him.

“Ugh, why am I following him again?” he whispers to himself, annoyed. “Shoyo, you are so stupid. You’re not planning to get sick, are you?”

Kageyama probably notices that it’s going to pour any time now so he’s starting to walk a little faster. Of course, from a distance, Shoyo keeps his pace with Kageyama.

“Shoyo, I’m begging you,” he quietly pleads to himself. “This should be the last time.”

He can’t stop cursing himself for being stupid until he has to stop at that corner near Kageyama’s house because Kageyama stops walking in front of his house. Shoyo takes a peek and… Miwa-chan?! He quickly covers his mouth as he takes a step back because he almost said that aloud. He is that taken aback. Miwa, no, that girl… why is that girl welcoming Kageyama to his house?!

Wait, is that even Kageyama’s house?! Or is he wrong about that, too?

Shoyo chuckles. He just loves to torture himself, doesn’t he? He followed Kageyama just for what? Slap with that reality?

“Okay Tobio…” Shoyo takes a peek once again when he hears Miwa-chan speak. “You are not getting inside the house unless you introduce him to me. So? Where is he?” Both her hands are on her waist like she’s really serious about it.

His eyebrows furrow as he wonders why she keeps looking for that one person in the team. And why does Kageyama not let her meet that person, anyway? She’s so persistent about it and he only needs to introduce them to each other.

The girl looks to their left and right, and then to Kageyama’s back. When she sees no one, she grumbles to the setter. “Tobio, I can’t see him anywhere.”

Kageyama looks like he’s so done with the girl. And Shoyo, since he’s not that far from the two, he can clearly see the deep scowl in Kageyama’s face.

“Miwa-chan…” The setter tries to  pass Miwa-chan but she quickly stops Kageyama by holding his arm.

“No, Tobio.” She’s… pouting, and Shoyo is probably melting because of the face she’s making to Kageyama. She looks… cute.

What is that feeling? He feels like he’s torturing himself from watching them but he can’t really deny how cute and pretty that girl is.

He sighs and takes a look at the two again.

“You promised this morning!” Is she actually throwing a tantrum? “You told me that you’re bringing him home after school.”

Kageyama stares at Miwa-chan for a few seconds before he takes a deep breath. “I’m kidding. He’s here.” He doesn’t sound like he’s kidding!

The pretty girl perks up and excitedly asks where that person is.

Shoyo steps back a split second when Kageyama suddenly looks in his direction. He covers his mouth with one hand to prevent himself from making a sound and uses his other hand to massage his leg because he hit the pedal of his bike with it when he immediately stepped back.

Kageyama didn’t see him, right? That’s all he can think of.

What if he walks away now?

He was about to do that when… “Just a sec,” he heard Kageyama say that.

Shoyo feels like he is suddenly plastered to where he is standing.

It’s not him, right? He chuckles. That’s ridiculous. Why would the girlfriend even want to meet him?

But if it’s him then… he gulps. That means Kageyama knows he’s following him. He even looked at his direction a few seconds ago.

Shoyo shakes his head. No, it’s not him.

It’s not him…

It’s not…

Shoyo’s eyes widens as he literally stops breathing, because suddenly, in front of him is Kageyama. He is looking at him with his usual bored expression, like he’s not surprised or something to see him near his house. 

He knows, Shoyo thinks as he looks to his side to avoid the setter’s gaze. What can be more embarrassing than Kageyama knowing that he’s following him?

Shoyo’s thoughts are cut off when Kageyama suddenly pulls him from where he is hiding. He didn’t have a chance to protest because just a second after, he’s already in front of Miwa-chan. 

Isn’t this the closest he gets to see the rumored girlfriend? Miwa-chan is gorgeous. No, that word can be an understatement. She’s a goddess. Shoyo’s mind blanks as he stares at the beautiful face in front of him.

“Hinata Shoyo-kun?” she carefully asks.

He mindlessly nods.

He’s brought back to his senses when Miwa-chan suddenly puts her hands to his shoulders. “Shoyo-kun!”

“Eh?” What? What’s happening? Shoyo is so confused with current events. Wait, he is that person?!

“I’ve been wanting to meet you!” Shoyo is shock when the pretty girl suddenly holds his hand. “Ugh, Tobio has been gatekeeping you from me.”

Kageyama rolls his eyes. “Because I know that you are going to freak him, nee-chan.”

Shoyo quickly looks at Kageyama after he says that. “…nee-chan?” he confusedly asks.

“Yes.” His eyes return to the girl in front of him. “I am Tobio’s older sister, Miwa.”

Shoyo’s jaw drops. 

They are siblings?

All this time that he’s been stressing himself out because he thought that they are in a relationship, that she is Kageyama’s girlfriend, but in reality, they are siblings?!

With his mouth open, Shoyo suddenly chuckles. “Ah…”

What a mistake.

How did he not think about the possibility of Kageyama having a sister? Of course, with their closeness, that’s the only thing that will make sense. It’s not like he still thinks that it’s impossible for Kageyama to have a girlfriend, but Kageyama is a volleyball freak and Shoyo can bet that that kind of thing never crossed the setter’s mind.

If they knew about how he thought that they were in a relationship, that would be very embarrassing. Oh, god.

Shoyo’s still calming himself down when he looks at Kageyama and hits him with his elbow.

“Ow...”

“You didn’t tell me that you have a sister.”

“You never asked,” Kageyama rebuts.

“Or you could just randomly mention it.”

Kageyama shrugs.

Shoyo looks at Kageyama’s older sister again then he bows to her this time. “Nice to meet you, Kageyama’s onee-san.”

“Oh, don’t be so formal with me, Shoyo-kun. Onee-san is fine.”

Shoyo may be still a little starstruck with Kageyama’s older sister because not only she looks so pretty, but he can also feel that she’s very kind too.

He nods his head. “Okay… onee-san.”

Miwa looks pleased with that as she gives Shoyo a big, beautiful smile.

“Why don’t you continue talking inside, Miwa-chan?” Kageyama suggests. “Because it’s going… to…” rain. It's suddenly started raining. The rain’s not that heavy but it's enough to get them soaked if they stay outside a little longer.

“I should probably go-”

“What?” “No.” The Kageyama siblings said at the same time.

“Eh? Uhm…” Shoyo doesn’t know what to say.

“No, Shoyo-kun. I can’t let you leave while it's raining,” Miwa says then she grabs his hand and pulls him inside their house. “And I’ve been wanting to meet you, so stay here for a while. I really wanna know more about you and let me share some of Tobio’s most embarrassing moments.” Ooh. Shoyo becomes excited by the mention of Kageyama’s embarrassing moments. He’s already thinking if he can use that to blackmail the setter sometimes.

“Miwa-chan!” Kageyama protests.

Since Shoyo has already been dragged inside the house, he can’t say no anymore so he just nods and asks if he can at least get his bike that he left when Kageyama suddenly pulled him earlier. But Miwa doesn’t want to let go of him and tells him to leave his bike to his brother.

Kageyama’s older sister drags him to the dining room.

“I hope you are not allergic to anything, Shoyo-kun?” Miwa asks.

“Uh, no, nee-san. I’m fine with anything.”

“That’s a relief then.”

They waited for Kageyama to join them and after a few minutes, they started eating.

Miwa only asks him about the usual things like what an older sibling would ask their younger sibling’s friend. When is your birthday? Where do you live? Where did you study when you were in grade school and middle school? Things like that. Basically, questions to know him a little more than what her younger brother probably already told him. He just wishes that Kageyama didn’t tell anything bad about him to his sister.

What Shoyo noticed about the siblings is their behavior. While Kageyama is more on the quiet side, his sister is on the talkative side. She’s more outgoing too, compared to her brother. But even though that’s his first impression of her, Shoyo can still feel an intimidating aura from her. Maybe because he also learned that Miwa is eight years older than her brother, and she’s already a woman who’s making a name for herself.

“So? How is Tobio at school?” Miwa asks.

Shoyo looks at Kageyama who has been uninterested in the conversation between him and his sister. “He’s…” What should he say? Shoyo thinks. Should he lie? Would she be mad at her brother if she finds out that Kageyama’s barely passing his exams just so he can continue playing with the team? “…fine, I guess.”

Miwa chuckles. “I know that he’s not the brightest student, Shoyo. I wanna know how he is as a teammate? Does he even talk at school?”

“Of course, Miwa-chan.” Kageyama interjects before he can answer. “How can I play with them if I don’t talk?”

Miwa looks at him and she’s giving the look that’s asking if that is true. Shoyo giggles and nods his head. “Not only talk, nee-san, he even screams.”

“Oh?”

“Not true,” Kageyama comments.

Shoyo snorts.

Miwa suddenly brushes her hand to her brother’s hair. “Ooh, my brother is getting loud at school? That’s news. I literally never heard you scream except when you’re playing on the court.”

Shoyo tries his best not to laugh at the scene in front of him. He never imagined witnessing Kageyama being embarrassed because of his sister.

“Because Hinata is being loud, too. He’s the one influencing me.”

“Oh?” Miwa glances at him. “Then I’m glad you became friends with him.”

“Glad?” It’s Kageyama’s turn to snort. “He’s a bad influence.”

“Bad influence? Me? Are you for real?” he complains then he lets out an incredulous laugh. “I’m literally the kindest person you’ve ever met?”

“Uh, no? Not when Sugawara-san exists.”

Okay, he can’t say anything about that because it’s true. But! “The point still stands though, I’m one of the kindest persons ever. And aren’t you the one bad influencing me?” he smirks.

“How can I be a bad influence, dumbass?”

“Oh! You heard that, nee-san?” He points at the setter. “Kage– I mean Tobio-kun just called me a dumbass!” He clicks his tongue while shaking his head. “Language.”

Miwa is just watching them bicker, and Shoyo can see that she’s really glad for her brother. He’s starting to wonder if she knew what happened to Kageyama and his teammates during his last game in middle school. And if she knew, what did she say to his brother? Did she get mad? Was she aware that his brother was not well-liked by his old teammates?

Miwa giggles. “I believe in Shoyo more.”

“Ha! Take that!” he says then Kageyama only rolls his eyes.

Once they’re done eating dinner, Shoyo is surprised to see Kageyama to be the one to clear the table. Well, he’s always been disciplined as what he noticed about the setter, but maybe, he’s expecting Kageyama to act more of a little brother now that his sister is here.

Kageyama didn’t take long to come back to them as he put three puddings on the table. 

As they eat the dessert, Miwa asks about the volleyball team this time. How are the senpais treating them? Good, of course, and they are all nice. And Miwa seems to become a little intrigued with Sugawara since Kageyama has all the praises about him. Is there someone mean on the team? Shoyo answers none, but of course Kageyama just has to disagree and tells his sister that there’s a lanky blonde with a nasty personality in the team. What do they personally think of the team? Do they think that they actually have a chance against the powerhouse schools within their prefecture? Things like that. And Kageyama might have been a little talkative, but what can he expect? The topic is volleyball.

Miwa mentions that she also played volleyball when she was a student, and if isn't that one of the things that Shoyo finds amazing. But he also became a little disappointed when she told him that she quit the team in high school for the sole reason of not wanting to cut her hair.

“It’s still my hobby though,” she tells Shoyo. “But that’s just it to me now.” He nods. Well, people just really have different things they are meant to do, he thinks.

“Let’s play some other time, Shoyo. I pretty much can play any position like Tobio, so I think it wouldn’t be a problem.”

“I would love too, nee-san!” Shoyo is seriously excited about that. What would it feel like to play with Kageyama’s sister? Is she a good player too, like her brother? He feels like it’s not going to happen anytime soon as Miwa mentioned that she’s really busy with her job but he’s already looking forward to it. He just hopes Miwa won't forget about it.

Once they are done eating their puddings, Kageyama kicks them out to the living room so he, as what he tells them, can start to wash the dishes and clean the kitchen already. He offers to help but the setter gives him a glare like he’s threatening him not to do anything or else…

Shoyo only smiles as he nods his head.

Miwa leaves him for a moment as she tells him that she’s just going to get something. While waiting, Shoyo looks outside the window and sees that the rain still has not stopped and it becomes heavier than the last time he checked it. He worries that he might be coming home late if the rain isn’t going to stop or at least it subsides a little.

Miwa comes back a little after with a photo album in her hands and Shoyo just knows what to expect to see already.

“Tobio’s pictures,” she says and he guesses right.

Miwa hands him the photo album and he immediately browses it. He can’t help but giggle at the first picture of Kageyama he sees. “He’s still nine months in that picture,” Miwa informs him. It’s the setter that’s hugging a volleyball. “I still remember how hard his grip with that ball is, like he doesn’t wanna let go of it, and he’s getting mad if we continue getting it from him.”

Shoyo laughs because that is so Kageyama? He still hadn’t had his first birthday and yet he couldn’t let go of the ball already.

He continues browsing the photo album while Miwa tells him the story behind each picture. That’s how he learned that his setter started playing volleyball at a very early age— the age where he’s probably just running around their house and not thinking about wanting to be good at something yet.

The last picture in the photo album is Kageyama standing in front of his middle school gate. He looks so young and awkward with that little smile he showed in front of the camera. He looks so different from the Kageyama that he remembers a year ago, the one that looks very mad to the world because of the permanent scowl in his face.

“That’s his first day as a middle school student.”

Oh. Makes sense because even though Kageyama looks so awkward in the picture, his expression still looks peaceful there. Like he’s not worrying about anything, yet.

As he closes the photo album, Shoyo can’t help but ask that one question that has been bugging his mind the moment Kageyama pulled him earlier from where he was hiding and introduced him to his sister. “Why do you want to meet me, nee-san? I’ve been wondering about that since you said earlier that you’ve been wanting to meet me.”

Miwa smiles as she sighs. “I know that my brother is a little awkward about everything except volleyball, and that’s fine since he’s been like that since he was a little kid. But something has changed, and he became even more quiet. I asked him one time if he has a problem. I told him that he can tell me anything, but as you already probably know, he’s not the type to just share anything about him.” Shoyo nods. He also can’t believe that even to his sister, Kageyama doesn’t talk. He doesn’t say anything. Has he been suffering alone?

“He looked like he’s always mad because of the scowl on his face. His expressions became so different from when he was younger.” Shoyo realized that when he was looking at the pictures. “But lately…” Miwa glances at him. “He looks like he’s doing well again. Whenever I ask him about school, he answers me again. Brief answers though, but enough to not make me worry.”

“That’s good,” he says because at least, Kageyama informs his sister about a thing or two about what is going on in his life.

“You asked why I’ve been wanting to meet you, right?” Miwa asks and he answers her yes. “It’s because Tobio never fails to mention your name whenever we talk.”

There, Shoyo stops breathing. “Eh?” Kageyama is doing what? He can feel his heart suddenly start hammering in his chest and his face heating up. Why would Kageyama do that?

“You know, I asked about him but he just won’t stop mentioning your name. Hinata did this, Hinata did that. Hinata said this, Hinata said that.” Miwa laughs. Shoyo looks into her eyes and it is sparkling, like she really finds what her brother does is amusing. “I asked about his day, and yes, yes, he updates me about how his day went” —she laughs a little more— “but after that, he’s going to start talking about you. It’s like I asked about how your day went, and not his. Can you believe that?”

“Right.” Shoyo lets out an awkward laugh. “Why is he doing that, anyway? I kinda feel embarrassed now. I bet he even tells you embarrassing stories about me.”

Miwa gives a teasing smile. “He does.”

“Aish…” Shoyo turns his head as he now feels embarrassed for real. “That jerk.” He takes a breath before looking again at Miwa. “He didn’t… He didn’t tell you about what happened last month, right?”

“Hmm…” Miwa acts like she’s thinking hard about it and every second passes feels like he’s near to let the sofa devour him. “I don’t know? Tobio had already told me a lot of your adventures already.”

“Nee-san…” Shoyo pouts.

“Was it the one where you tripped and fell in the mud in front of many people?”

Shoyo covers his face with the photo album he’s holding. “Ah, Kageyama. Why do you also have to tell that to your sister?” he says in a muffled voice and Miwa continues to laugh at him.

“I’m thankful, though.” He hears Miwa say with a soft voice.

He takes his hand off of his face and looks at the older.

“Whenever he talks about you, he sounds happy.”

“What?” Shoyo can feel his face heating up once again. Kageyama sounds happy whenever he talks about him? What does that even mean?

“He’s probably happy to tell you my stupid adventures every day, nee-san.”

“Maybe. But I know there’s more than that.” There’s a soft expression on Miwa's face while looking at him. Shoyo can’t really explain what that look means but he can see that she’s relieved of something and that is making his heart race. Is it because of him? What did he even do? He wonders.

“You know, Shoyo, Tobio never introduced any classmates or teammates to me before. I don’t even know if he ever got any friends of his own. Though, I think he did mention some names of his teammates during middle school but he never really introduced them to me, that's why until now, I don’t really know what they look like. But…” Miwa smiles like she’s remembering a very fond memory. “Ever since he started high school, something’s changed. He used to sound… emotionless, or at least, that’s the vibe I was getting whenever we talked on the phone. But one day after he started high school, I asked how his day went and he just suddenly started rambling about you. Or more like whining about you.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you.”

Okay, he feels like he shouldn’t be surprised anymore because he already gets the feeling that Kageyama loves to talk about him to his sister. For some reason, he feels happy about it— even though Kageyama loves to share his most embarrassing moments.

“The first time he whined about you, he couldn’t stop telling me how high your jump was, how fast your reflexes were, and how awful your receives.” Of course, those are the first things that he will complain to his sister about him. Very shocking.

“I was surprised because he never talked that much before and then suddenly, he started talking about a certain Hinata Shoyo and all I could do was just listen because I didn’t know how to interrupt him and also, I didn’t want to. He sounded different. He sounded annoyed, but at the same time, relieved. He sounded glad and excited, and happy, and it’s whenever he's talking about you.”

Shoyo feels his throat getting dry as his heart feels like it’s getting near to get out from his chest. His breath is running short as he doesn’t know what to say. Kageyama is happy because of him. How should he take that? How should he even react to that?

“So you can say that you are one of the main reasons why I visited him and stayed here for almost a month.” Miwa clicks her tongue. “I told Tobio that I want to meet you but he’s so hardheaded, I don’t even know why he kept us from meeting.”

“You’re right, nee-san. Now that I also think about it, we should’ve known each other for some time now if Tobio-kun introduced us to each other sooner.” And also, maybe a rumor about Kageyama having a girlfriend wouldn’t break out around their year level. He suddenly feels annoyed. Those weeks that he constantly hears that rumor feels like hell and he hates it.

That rumor.

What should he do to clear it?

“Shoyo…?”

He looks at Miwa. “Yes?”

“Are you okay? You are suddenly frowning so hard.”

He quickly raises both of his eyebrows and lets out a big smile. “Yes. Yes, I’m fine. Sorry, nee-san. I suddenly remembered something.”

Miwa shakes her head. “It’s fine.” Then she suddenly chuckles. “Tobio is always like that.”

Shoyo feels his face heats up again.

“Anyway, I wanna thank you, Shoyo, that’s why I wanted to meet you.”

“Thank me?” He tilts his head.

“Yes, thank you for coming to Tobio’s life. For being his friend and making him happy.”

Shoyo breathes slowly as he tries to process that in his mind. He doesn’t understand what Kageyama’s older sister is thankful for. She’s thankful for coming to his brother’s life? No, they just met again coincidentally after a year. If he’s going to get asked about it, he would answer honestly that he doesn’t want to meet him unless they see each other in a match again. She’s thankful that he’s friends with her brother? Isn’t that only natural? Even if they don’t want to, they will eventually become friends at some point because they are in the same team and also in the same year level. She’s thankful that he makes her brother happy? He doesn’t… He’s not… He still doesn’t know what to say to that.

But Shoyo smiles because despite those thoughts… “I am glad, too, nee-san, that I got to know him.”

His breath halts when Miwa suddenly holds his hand. “Please take care of my brother, Shoyo.”

“Eh?” Shoyo feels like he is nearing to have a heart attack. His heartbeat is much faster than it did before that he’s now having a hard time breathing. His lips remain open, and his face must be redder than the ripest apple right now. Why is he feeling like that? Shoyo doesn’t understand when Miwa is only asking him to take care of her brother. Happiness trembles inside him as he gets excited about it even though he doesn’t understand why. It’s like she is asking him to never be apart from her brother and Shoyo thinks that he would love to do that.

He slowly nods his head. “Of course, nee-san.” He then smiles. “Tobio-kun has been taking care of me too” —he narrows his eyes to his side— “even though he’s a little rude sometimes, he won’t stop calling me a dumbass, and he keeps calling my receives shitty.” He lets out a soft sigh. “But that’s just how he is, I guess. There are still a lot of moments when he’s gentle to me.” Like when he kept asking about his problem. Kageyama did seem like he’s worried about him and Shoyo can feel his heart fluttering just by remembering that.

“Look out for each other, then.” 

He gladly nods.

Miwa gets the photo album from him and he watches her skim it. When she stops at one page, she opens the cover and takes the picture inside it.

“Here.”

“Eh?”

Miwa is handing him the picture that she took off the photo album.

“You can take this. I noticed that you were smirking while looking at this picture earlier.”

“Ah, yes.” He chuckles. “Just, I never saw Tobio-kun getting hit by a ball in his face… though I did hit him with a serve at the back of his head once.”

“Really?” She looks amused. “Was he mad?”

He grins. “He was fuming.”

Miwa laughs. “I bet he was.”

They both turned their heads when they noticed Kageyama coming from the kitchen. He looks like he’s done cleaning as he is currently drying his hands with a towel.

“The rain is not stopping,” Kageyama says.

He’s right. While Shoyo was talking with Miwa earlier, he couldn’t stop looking at the window as he wished for the rain to stop already. It’s getting late but he can’t risk biking on the high hill while it's raining. The slippery road is already dangerous, what more if he leaves with the pouring rain? He sighs.

“How about you stay for the night, Shoyo?”

“Eh?” He quickly turns to Miwa.

“I can’t let you leave right now. It’s too dangerous. I can take you home with my car, but the gas wouldn’t make it since I was only planning to have it refilled tomorrow.”

So he doesn’t have a choice but to spend the night at Kageyama’s house?

He looks at the setter who’s also looking at him and quick to frown his eyebrows.

“What?”

Shoyo is not saying anything as he just keeps on looking at Kageyama.

“What, dumbass?”

He is still not saying anything.

Come on, you know it.

“Ugh dumbass! Alright, I will say it. Just stop staring!” Kageyama’s face including his ears and neck are getting red and Shoyo wonders why. “Do as Miwa-chan said. Stay the night here.”

He smiles and nods his head. “Okay. I’ll stay.”

“You can use the telephone to call your parents, Shoyo. Inform them that you can’t go home because of the rain and you’re gonna spend the night here.” Miwa looks at her brother. “Tobio, give Shoyo my number if ever his parents ask for it.”

They both answered okay.

“When Shoyo’s done, take him to your room, Tobio, so you two can rest already.” She stands up and leaves them upstairs. “See you tomorrow, Shoyo.”

Shoyo nods and bows his head a little. “Yes. Thank you, Miwa-nee-san.”

He then looks at Kageyama who sighs and tells him to follow him to their telephone. He calls his mother and tells the situation, and what a relief that his mom is fine with him spending the night at Kageyama’s house. She doesn’t even sound worried about it and even tells him not to be too much of a trouble with the people he’s spending the night with.

After the call, Kageyama tells him to follow him. On their way there, Shoyo is guessing what the setter’s room would look like. Based on Kageyama’s personality, he’s not expecting a well-decorated room, though he’s getting himself ready to see a bunch of volleyball stuff around the setter’s room… which is the opposite of what he's expecting to see. Kageyama’s room is clean with not much stuff around, probably the only things that he only needs, making the room look spacious. Well, it’s already kinda big enough for one person to use.  And surprisingly, there’s only one ball beside Kageyama’s bed.

“You wanna take the shower first?” Kageyama asks and Shoyo nods his head. The setter hands him clothes to use and leads him the way to the bathroom.

It didn’t take him long to take a shower but… he got nervous when he realized that he just used Kageyama’s shower gel and now, he smells the same as the taller boy.

It’s stupid, he knows. Why is he getting nervous just because he has the same smell as Kageyama? He can’t even go out because he is looking at himself in the mirror and his face is flushing. He just took a shower, but his face feels like it’s burning. What should he do?

There’s suddenly a knock on the door. “Hinata, are you still alive?”

“Y-yeah. Of course,” he says. “I just finished showering.”

He splashes water in his face, takes a deep breath, relaxes himself. It’s just Kageyama and his smell. He doesn’t have to be so nervous about it… right?

He nods at himself. “Of course, Shoyo. Now get out of the bathroom.”

With another deep breath, he grabs the doorknob and opens the door. Kageyama is leaning against the wall opposite the door with a towel on his shoulder.

“Did I take too long?” he asks, ' cause why is Kageyama waiting there?

But the setter stares at him and after a few seconds, he takes his eyes off him and shrugs his shoulders. “Not really.” Then he walks inside the bathroom.

Shoyo looks at the door, confused. What’s that? Weird.

He walks to Kageyama’s room and quickly looks at himself in the mirror and feels relief when he sees that his face is not as red anymore. Though, his heart is still hammering in his chest. He doesn’t know how to calm that down.

He looks around the things in Kageyama’s room and nothing is interesting except for a picture of him with his sister and an old man, which Miwa introduced earlier as their grandfather when he was looking at Kageyama’s photo album. He stares at the picture and smiles because Kageyama is so small and round and he looks so innocent, and he looks so cute holding his vabo-chan stuffed toy.

He looked at the side of the table and noticed a familiar paper bag.

Wait, isn’t that the paper bag from the cosmetics shop that Kageyama went to last week? So it’s for him, afterall? Though, he doesn’t expect Kageyama to use those kinds of products.

“What are you looking at?”

Shoyo almost jumps from that and gives Kageyama a glare.

“What?”

“You could’ve at least made a sound before you suddenly speak? I almost had a heart attack.”

Kageyama looks confused. “What are you getting dramatic at?”

Ha, this is hopeless, Shoyo thinks while shaking his head. He stands up and points at the paper bag. “I didn’t expect you as someone who takes care of your skin.”

Kageyama glances at the paper bag. “It’s because Miwa-chan is forcing me to do it.” Then he sits at his bed while drying off his hair with a towel.

Shoyo then sits too at Kageyama’s desk chair and continues to dry off his hair.

It’s quiet and is it just him or there’s really an awkward air around them?

It’s not that they never had a moment where they both became so quiet but Shoyo can’t remember a situation where he felt this awkward. It’s uncomfortable and unfamiliar because come on, it’s just Kageyama. He can’t understand the awkwardness that he currently feels.

He gapes at the other boy as he remembers what Miwa had told him. Kageyama became happier after he met him. To be honest, it’s still a news to him. He never thought that he could be a reason for someone to be happy. Don’t get him wrong. He knows how to make someone happy, of course, he knows that that’s one of his best qualities. But to be someone’s reason why they became happier? It’s something he never expected to happen. It’s flattering but at the same time, he doesn’t know how to take it into himself. Because how? Why? What did he even do? Except for asking for tosses, all he does is argue and bicker with Kageyama. Their start was not even that good and their relationship just tamed over time because they are together most of the time.

He makes Kageyama happy. It’s confusing but for some reason, his heart feels so light about it.

Shoyo quickly takes his eyes away from Kageyama when the latter suddenly turns his head to him.

“You’re still drying your hair?” the setter says. “How is your hair still wet when mine is dry already?”

He sighs. “That just means that my hair is thicker than yours.”

Kageyama stands up and walks to his cabinet. A few seconds later, he’s handing him a hair blower. “Use this.”

“I’m fine, though.”

“Well, I’m not.”

Shoyo furrows his eyebrows. What does Kageyama even mean by that?

“Just use this already, dumbass, so we can both lay down already and take a rest.”

But he was just about to take the blower from Kageyama when he suddenly… “Or never mind. I will do it.”

Shoyo’s eyes widened. “Do what?”

Instead of answering, Kageyama plugs in the blower and sits again in his bed. “What are you waiting for? Come here.”

“I can dry my hair myself.”

“I know but just sit here dumbass and I will do it,” the setter insists.

Shoyo bites his lips and does what Kageyama tells him to do— he’s just not in the mood to argue with the setter anymore. He sits on the floor in front of Kageyama who turns on the blower.

Shoyo’s heart is beating so fast when he finally feels Kageyama’s hand in his hair and starts blow drying his hair off. He starts fiddling his hands as he can’t stay still because every movement that Kageyama makes while touching his hair, his heartbeat keeps increasing. There’s something in his stomach that he can’t explain, and it’s too far from the stomachaches he always feels whenever he’s nervous. This one is different, it’s something he never felt before.

His throat is getting dry, and he can’t help but flinch when Kageyama’s hand makes contact with his head. It feels like there’s an electricity suddenly flowing from his head going through his whole body whenever it happens. It’s not like Kageyama hasn’t touched him before but this… these feelings, it’s different. He doesn’t know what they are. It’s new and intimidating. It’s somehow frightening but also fascinating.

And Shoyo thinks he wants this to happen again. Just him and Kageyama in one quiet place. He’s thinking that he wants Kageyama to do this again, blow dry his hair and give him again the unfamiliar feelings because he’s being very gentle with him and it’s enthralling him. He wants to get familiar with all of it until he finally knows what those feelings are and finally knows what to call them.

Wait.

Wait.

Wait.

Shoyo’s mind stops.

It’s… not that, right?

He gulps because this moment of realization is too sudden, like a power serve he has to receive or a decision he needs to make in 0.01 second inside the court. It’s enough to make his body freeze because his brain can’t process the thought of it. Him to Kageyama? Like that?

Shoyo feels like he is getting out of breath when he realizes that Kageyama is still touching and blow drying his hair. He holds his hands tightly as he tries to relax himself because all those unfamiliar feelings and the sudden realization of it are too much, and he can’t handle all of it in an instant. His heartbeat is so fast and his head feels like it’s going to explode.

“Hinata…”

Shoyo feels like he suddenly wakes up because of that one word from Kageyama. He can feel his throat drying up and he has to clear it so he can clearly speak.

“Your ears are so red.”

He quickly touches his ears and they are burning. And if his ears are red and burning, does that mean that his face, too? He can’t face Kageyama if he’s all flushing like that again.

“Maybe because of the blower, the air is kinda hot,” he reasons out.

“Maybe,” Kageyama softly says.

A moment of silence covers them once again with the blow dryer as the only thing that’s making a noise, until Kageyama talks again.

“Hinata…”

“Hm?”

“I was your problem, weren't I?”

That second, Shoyo’s breath halts. “What… do you mean?”

“I don’t know. I just kinda guessed that I was your problem but I am still not sure about it.” Kageyama’s voice is still soft and small, like he’s just telling it to Shoyo to inform him about his thoughts without any other intentions.

Shoyo feels the setter take a deep breath. “Sorry, forget it.”

“What if… you’re right?” Shoyo asks.

“What do you mean?”

“What if you were really my problem these past few days?”

Kageyama stops moving his hands for a few seconds. “Then tell me about it and see if I can fix it.”

“It’s stupid.” He takes a deep breath. “But it’s fine now. Turns out I shouldn't have made it a problem from the start.”

“It’s the rumor, wasn’t it?”

Shoyo’s lips parts. Kageyama even caught that?

“It’s just a guess but since you didn't say anything right away, I am going to assume that I am right.”

“Why the rumor, though?” he asks, curious and a little embarrassed about it.

“You are the only one who hasn’t asked me about that,” Kageyama answers.

Shoyo suddenly raises his head to look at Kageyama. “Wait, you know about the rumor?”

The setter raises an eyebrow and looks at him like he asked a stupid question. “Of course, dumbass.” He then moves his head so he can continue blow drying his hair. “I have ears. I already heard about it the moment it spreaded around our year level. Our teammates also asked me about it already.”

“Even Yachi-san and Yamaguchi?”

“Even Tsukishima commented about it.”

And they didn’t tell him about it after they said that they would only ask Kageyama once the rumor died down.

“If you just asked me about it instead of being a creepy stalker.”

Do you know that sound when someone died and there's only a flat line in the machine? Shoyo feels like he's hearing it right now.

Creepy stalker? He knew? Kageyama knew that he’s following him all those times? He tightly closes his eyes as he’s starting to feel the heat covering his face. How much embarrassment is he going to face while Kageyama is drying his hair?

He slowly raises his head to look at the setter again. “You also know that I was following you?”

“I was not sure at first since it could be just a coincidence that you were in the same place that I was. But I kept seeing you behind my back—”

“You have eyes on your back?”

Kageyama is quick to give him a flick on his forehead. “Dumbass. There was also a time that I saw you sneaking out because I almost caught you.” He sighs. “You were not being very subtle about it, dumbass.”

Shoyo furrows his eyebrows and pouts as he moves his head so Kageyama can continue what he’s doing.

First, his realizations, and then this, Kageyama knowing about everything. It’s too much for one night that it’s draining him. All he wants to do is just sleep and maybe have a dream where he’s not getting any embarrassment from the setter.

“It’s pride, isn't it.” It’s not a question, it’s a statement that only he can confirm.

Maybe? Shoyo doesn’t really know why he didn’t ask. He still doesn’t know what stopped him from asking the setter. He could’ve known the truth behind the rumor earlier and probably, he’s not experiencing the embarrassment he’s feeling at this moment.

Kageyama turns off the blow dryer and Shoyo is shocked when the setter suddenly pulls his head to look straight into his eyes. “I was actually waiting for you to ask about the rumor so I can have an excuse to introduce you to my sister. But since you did not, I kept thinking how I will do that until I thought of using your stalking to me. I was actually worried that you might stop following me today…”  He shows off a small smirk. “I’m glad because you still did.” 

He forcefully pulls himself from Kageyama because he can feel the heat and all the blood in his body probably rises to his face. What in the world? Is Kageyama trying to give him a heart attack? Shoyo breathes in and slowly breathes out. Shoyo relax, it’s just Kageyama.

When he feels Kageyama move, he looks at him as he walks to the place where he got the hair blower. He then moves to a different cabinet and after a couple of seconds, he takes out a pillow and hands it to him.

Shoyo takes it as he stands and waits for Kageyama to bring out the other things that he needs… but Kageyama takes out nothing as he sits in his bed again.

Shoyo looks at the setter with a confused expression. “…so?” he asks.

Kageyama looks back at him. “What?”

He points at the floor. “Are you going to make me sleep on the cold floor? Where’s my futon and my blanket?”

“Who said that you’re going to sleep on the floor? You’re going to use the bed.”

He frowns. “And you?”

“What do you think? Of course, I’m also using my bed.” Emphasizing the word my like it’s supposed to be obvious already and there’s no need to even ask that question.

Shoyo looks at Kageyama like he can’t believe that the setter just said that.

“What?” Kageyama asks.

Suddenly, something clicks at Shoyo. “Oh.”  He nods his head. “Oh, I get it. You want me to sleep on the sofa in your living room.” Then he lets out a giggle. “You should’ve told me right away, Kageyama-kun. It’s just fine for me to sleep there.”

Kageyama blinks and his expression changes in a millisecond. “Seriously?” He looks so done.

“Am I wrong?”

“Yes, you are dumbass!” Kageyama snorted, making him jump a little. “What part of you will also use the bed you didn’t understand? Miwa-chan will get mad at me if I let you sleep in the living room and don’t ask for futons anymore because none of those are clean.”

Shoyo is speechless because oops, Kageyama snapped. After a few seconds, he laughs, sits beside Kageyama, and taps his back. “Are you mad? You don’t have to be so mad about it, Kageyama-kun.”

The setter rolls his eyes. “It’s because you are so stupid.”

Shoyo continues to laugh at him. “Okay, I’m sorry. Come on, let’s now lay in your bed so we can now sleep.”

“Dumbass.”

Kageyama narrows his eyes to Shoyo before he makes a move and lays down- “No! Wait!”

“What?”

“I want the wall side,” Shoyo says. “Please.”

Kageyama sighs then shakes his head. “Fine. Whatever.”

Shoyo smiles and climbs to the bed and quickly faces the wall because to be honest, his insides are freaking out since the moment that Kageyama told him that they will use the same bed. His heart is beating so fast that he now worries that Kageyama might hear it because they are now so close to each other.

Of course, they sleep side by side during training camps but there’s always a huge gap between their futons and even when he sleeps restlessly, they have never been so close and now… they are only inches apart. It shouldn’t be a big deal, he knows that, but he just realized something earlier and being so close to each other isn’t something he wishes to happen right away because he still needs to process that and think about that.

“You called me by my name earlier,” Kageyama quietly says.

“It’s because it would be awkward to call you by your surname while talking to your sister.”

Kageyama hums as response.

Shoyo just wants to fall asleep already.

**

Shoyo opens his eyes and the first thing he notices is the dimness of the room. Second is the bright moon outside Kageyama’s window as if it hadn’t rained so hard earlier which caused him not to be able to go home. Third is how close his face is with Kageyama and fourth is their holding hands in front of their faces.

What happened? How did they end up being this close and why are they holding hands?

Maybe because he’s in a sleepy state that he’s not freaking out so much despite the questions in his head, or maybe because Kageyama is also asleep and he’s not seeing any of this.

Shoyo stares at their hands and smiles. So that is what it feels like holding the hand of someone you have feelings for. Feeling nice is an understatement, it’s more like it’s giving his heart a lighter feeling that he can’t explain but it’s something that he knows that he will crave from now on. It’s amazing how he finds this small gesture enchanting because of the new feelings he is discovering again.

Shoyo holds Kageyama’s hand a little tight as he wants to feel the heat of the setter’s hand. Kageyama’s hand is surprisingly soft despite playing volleyball for a long time already. He wonders if Kageyama is doing something to maintain the softness of his hands.

He then shifts his eyes from their hands to Kageyama’s face and he’s a little surprised when he sees Kageyama staring at him.

“Sleep dumbass. It’s still very early.” Kageyama’s voice is quiet but husky and still very sleepy.

Shoyo smiles as he just continues to look at the boy opposite him.

They continue to stare into each other’s faces like they are studying each other’s expressions. Shoyo feels like he is drowning with Kageyama’s blue eyes. It’s giving him chills because of how alluring they are that it’s getting hard for him to take his eyes from them.

It’s dim but he can already see how beautiful the setter’s eyes are, and Shoyo wonders how beautiful it would be under the bright moonlight. Will they glow and glitter like the stars in the sky? Or will they be like a calm ocean but dark and mysterious in the night? Shoyo thinks that he would like to find that out and the thought of it excites him because it’s Kageyama. It’s about Kageyama Tobio who’s very grumpy, who’s always mad at him, who’s never hesitant to call him a dumbass, but secretly loves his company because it makes him happy.

He can’t help but smile while thinking all that.

To be honest, even though he already has a word for those unfamiliar feelings, he still doesn’t have the confidence to name them because everything was so sudden. He realized what those feelings were when Kageyama was drying his hair, making his heart race and his face flushed. He’s worried because what if he’s wrong? What if it’s not really like that? What if he only thought about that because it’s the only thing that made sense because all those feelings were unfamiliar?

He needs time. To think all about it. It scares him that he might be wrong, but he still wants to know if it’s really that thing because having those feelings is one of the most wonderful things in the world, right? Or at least that is what he always hears.

“What are you thinking about?” Kageyama asks.

You.

Shoyo looks at their hands and slightly raises them. “This.”

“Me too.”

His eyes return to Kageyama’s face. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“What do you think about it?”

“I think that I want to do this again” —he feels Kageyama’s hold tighten a little— “like this.”

Shoyo smiles. “Me too.”

Kageyama smiles back at him. “Really?”

“Yes.”

They stare at each other’s eyes again for more than a minute until Kageyama speaks again. “Go back to sleep. We still have hours before we wake up again.”

Shoyo nods and as he closes his eyes, he feels Kageyama tightens the hold to his hand once again.

 **

They are late.

At least for the morning practice.

They are supposed to wake up earlier than their usual wake up time since they agreed to have breakfast together; the three of them, Shoyo, Miwa, and Kageyama the next morning. And then Shoyo will wait for Kageyama to finish his morning routine, then Miwa will drive him back to his house and then the siblings will wait for him to finish preparing for school, and lastly, Miwa will drive them both to school.

They still did those though, because the real reason why they are late is because they woke up late. If Miwa didn’t check on them, the earliest they could probably come at school was just in time before the classes started.

From the moment they woke up, they were arguing and bickering about it, blaming each other for not waking up early. Until now, just a few minutes to school, they still can’t move on about it. Miwa actually already told them that they were at fault, but they just won't stop like they are competing about blaming each other.

When they reach the school, it’s just minutes before the practice ends. “Let’s pass by the gym for a minute to greet them and apologize for not attending the morning practice,” Shoyo tells Kageyama who doesn’t even take a glance at him before leaving the car.

He and Miwa leave the car at the same time and Shoyo is about to thank her and give her a bow when she suddenly calls his name and puts a hand to his shoulder.

“I am very glad that I got to meet you,” Miwa tells her with a sincere smile.

Shoyo beams at her his sunshine smile. “I am glad too, nee-san.”

“Watch Tobio for me?”

He nods. “Of course, leave him to me.”

They both turn their heads when Kageyama with a deep frown painted in his face impatiently calls him. “Dumbass, let’s go!”

“That brat,” Miwa says, then he tells his brother to come closer to them. When Kageyama is just a half meter away, Shoyo is slightly startled when Miwa suddenly pulls her brother’s ear.

“A-ah, Miwa-chan, that hurts…” Kageyama whines as he tries to escape from his sister’s hold.

“No. You— can’t you refrain yourself from calling Shoyo a dumbass?”

“Huh?” The setter looks at him and then lets out a smirk. “Why would I when he’s really a dumbass?”

He giggles. “Ah, really?” Then he also pulls Kageyama’s other ear. “If I am dumb, then you’re an idiot.”

“Dumbass, it’s just the same— ah dumbass that hurts!” The setter whines when he pulls his ear a little harder before letting it go.

“Don’t worry, nee-san, I’m already used to your brother calling me that,” he tells Miwa.

“Where did you even learn that word, huh?” Miwa also let go of her brother’s ear. “Be kinder to Shoyo!”

“Tsk, why would I?” Kageyama mutters, which earns a pinch in his waist from his sister. “Ah, nee-chan! Can you stop being violent already? Where did you even learn that?” he complains, annoyed.

Kageyama acting this way, like an actual little brother, getting scolded and complaining is entertaining him and he can’t take his eyes off of him. He never imagined that he could get a chance to witness this, oh how he wishes that he has something to capture this moment.

“Be kind to Shoyo or else…”

Kageyama steps away from sister because she’s threatening to pinch him again. “Okay! Okay! Just stop doing that!”

“Good.” She then smiles and looks at him. “I will go now. See you, Shoyo.”

He bows to her. “Yes, take care, nee-san.”

“And you…” Miwa points to her brother. “Answer my calls and texts.”

Kageyama doesn’t answer as he’s just looking to god knows what.

“Tobio…” she calls with a little stricter voice.

“Yes, I will do it.”

“And be kind to Shoyo.”

“You already said that.”

“I know that I need to repeat that because you are very hardheaded.”

Kageyama sighs as he takes a step and hugs his sister.

“Ooh, I knew that you’re going to miss me,” Miwa says, smugly.

“Not really.” Kageyama suddenly opens the car and forcefully pushes his sister inside. “Bye, Miwa-chan!” Then he quickly grabs his wrist and drags him away.

“H-hey…” he whines but Kageyama doesn’t want to let go of him. He looks back to bow again to Miwa. And because Kageyama doesn’t look like he have plans of letting his wrist go, he stops restraining and lets him drag him to the gym.

When they get into the gym, the guys are starting to clean up and tidy up the volleyball equipment. Coach Ukai probably went home already and Takeda-sensei is also nowhere to be seen.

The first ones to notice them are the loud ones, Tanaka and Nishinoya, who shouted both their names. Most of the guys only take a glance and wave at them, and both the captain and the vice-captain approach them.

“Sorry for missing the morning practice,” Shoyo and Kageyama said in unison as they bowed.

Sawamura tells them that it’s fine and it’s not really a problem and Sugawara just laughs at them and says, “I never imagined you two missing a practice.”

And yup, they start arguing again about whose fault it is and their vice-captain just continues to laugh at them until Sawamura cuts them off and tells them to just go to their classes because there’s nothing for them to do in the gym anymore.

They bow again before they take a step outside the gym.

Before they get away, Sugawara calls them and gives a smile. “It’s nice to see you two getting along.” Then he suddenly winks. They confusedly look at each other for a couple of seconds before continuing their way to their classrooms.

It’s when Shoyo has to step inside his classroom when he notices that Kageyama is still holding his wrist and that instantly makes his heart race and his face flush.

Kageyama looks equally shocked as he quickly lets go of his wrist. “Sorry, I didn’t notice.”

“No, it’s fine,” he says. Ho holds his wrist as he takes a look at Kageyama, who looks embarrassed about it and is avoiding to look at him.

Because of that, Shoyo has the chance to notice that Kageyama’s neck is burning like he ate something he has allergies with and the symptom is suddenly showing.

“I’ll see you later,” Kageyama says in a low voice as he starts walking away from him. Shoyo watches the setter’s back until he enters his own classroom.

As for him, he hasn’t even put down his bag on his table yet when his classmates, the girls, suddenly bombard him with questions.

“Hinata, that’s Kageyama’s girlfriend, right?”
“Hinata, why are you with them?”
“Hinata-kun, is the rumor true?”

Yup, of course. It’s about Kageyama and the rumor. What would be the other reason for them to not let him sit first and take a breath?

The rumor, he almost forgot about it.

Well, it’s mostly because it isn’t true that it almost slipped out of his mind already if his classmates didn’t remind him that such rumors exist first thing before the classes start.

Also, because he already confirmed that the rumor is not true himself, so there is no reason for him to think and stress about it, is it?

The feelings that he realized last night is stressing him more. How his heart beats faster and his face flushes randomly because of stupid Kageyama. How he thought that he wanted to hold Kageyama’s hand again because it made him happy, and how he can be finally confident to name them because wouldn’t it be wonderful if you’re confident about it? That you exactly know what you feel? And what you are going to do will just come after? Shoyo definitely doesn’t know what he will do next if ever, that’s why he really needs to think about it.

“So, Hinata, spill.”

“Oh, uhm…” He tries clearing his throat.

Wait, he hasn’t asked Kageyama about this. But, it will not hurt to tell them the truth, right? Also, for the rumor to vanish already so they can stop bothering him about it. It’s ruining his mood.

“So?”

“Yup, uh, that’s his sister.” There, he said it. Straight to the point.

“Sister?”
“What do you mean sister?”
“He has a sister?”

Shoyo nods his head at the last question. “Yes.”

“He has a sister and you didn’t tell us?”

“Woah, woah…” He raises his two hands like he is surrendering. “I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t know that Kageyama has an older sister until yesterday when he introduced us to each other.”

“Okay, let me get this straight. So, you are confirming that Kageyama is not in a relationship because the rumored girlfriend is actually his older sister?”

He nods his head once again. “Yes, that is correct.”

And how his classmates— of course, those only who have a big crush on Kageyama— celebrated because wow good news, Shoyo can finally sit and relax.

“Thanks for the info, Hinata-kun.”

He turns his head and it’s one of the girls that he knows who likes Kageyama. He smiles at her and tells her, “No problem.”

Shoyo watches her as she excitedly turns to her friends and expresses how she feels. She looks really happy about the rumor not being true with that big smile plastered in her face.

As the first subject is about to start in just a few minutes, Shoyo takes out a book to check the assignment that he did the previous day. Yes, believe it or not, he answered it in advance.

Shoyo is rechecking his answers when something catches his ear that makes his attention focus to that.

“Why do you need to think about it? You like him, right?”

“I don’t know. Like— I’m not sure. I don’t know.”

“How would you not know? That’s your feelings. Also, I can’t understand what you need to think about. You don’t think how you feel because they are feelings. You are supposed to feel them, not think about them. One piece of advice, if you have feelings for him then go for it, go to him. Risk it.”

You don’t think how you feel because they are feelings. Is that right? He doesn’t have to think about the feelings he just realized last night?

Shoyo leans in his chair and stares at the ceiling of their classroom.

Maybe, it makes sense. No, it does make sense. What does he have to think about it? That unfamiliar emotion that he just discovered yesterday, it is that and there’s no need to think and contemplate about it because it’s just that. Simply that.

He likes Kageyama Tobio.

Shoyo lets out a smile because what was he even thinking? Think about his newly discovered feelings? Why complicate it, Shoyo? He should’ve just accepted it from the start. It’s scary, yes, because the person he likes is Kageyama, his partner. What will happen if he ever confesses? Will he get rejected too like all those people who put up their courage to try but failed? When did I even start having feelings for him? He’s not sure but that doesn’t matter anymore, does it?

But can he hope for something good about them?

He knows that only Kageyama can answer that.

Risk it.

Should he?

It’s Kageyama, it would be worth it whatever his response, right?

**

As usual, they took another hour for extra practice. Both him and Kageyama were on fire because they couldn’t get to attend the morning practice and both of them were so itchy to play.

Now, they are walking home side by side and none of them are talking. They are surrounded by comfortable silence, though. It doesn’t happen that much since most of the time, he has something to share with Kageyama but now, he can’t think of anything to tell.

No.

Actually, there is something that he wants to do but he’s not sure if he should say it. He has been thinking about it since the moment they’re done practicing.

But it’s not like he has to do it now. He can try it tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, or next week. But he’s getting torn because if he pushes it, he feels like he’s wasting time— it’s not like he will run out of time, but you know what he means.

So while walking, he’s contemplating about it.

Should he do it? He should do it, right?

“You are not going to follow me at my house again, are you?” Kageyama suddenly asks.

“Uh, no?” He then looks around and realizes that they are already on the spot where they always part ways. “Oh.”

“Good. I’m going,” Kageyama says but before he can take a step, Shoyo stops him.

“I’m going with you.”

The setter looks at him with confused expression and furrowed eyebrows.

“My bike is still in your house, remember?”

Kageyama’s expression softens as his eyebrows straighten with that realization. “Oh, right.” He fixes the strap of his bag before he takes a step forward. “Let’s go.”

Shoyo bits his lower lip as he stares at Kageyama’s back. He will do it. He wants to try it.

Kageyama probably feels that he’s not walking with him so he stops, turns his head, and looks at him.

“What are you doing, dumbass? Let’s go.”

He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

“Kageyama, your hand.”

The setter slowly frowns. “…what?”

“Just take out your hand.”

Kageyama looks skeptical about it but he still does what he’s told to do.

Shoyo slowly walks to him with his racing heart. He’s nervous, no doubt about it, but no backing out.

He raises his hand and slowly puts it on top of Kageyama’s hand. Just by that contact, his heart beat instantly doubles. Then he slowly intertwines his fingers against Kageyama’s and finally looks at the setter.

Kageyama is looking at him with wide eyes and flushed cheeks. He looks like he wants to say something as lips are parted but can’t say it for some reason.

“You said that you want to hold my hand again, right? Is this okay?” he nervously asks.

Kageyama looks away. “Dumbass, who does it first before asking if it’s okay?”

Shoyo smiles as Kageyama holds his hand back and slightly squeezes it.

“So, it’s fine?” he asks.

“Dumbass.” Kageyama rolls his eyes. “Let’s go.”

They start walking again, this time with their hands holding and Shoyo can’t control his smile.

Is it normal to feel this way? Because he just holds hands with Kageyama but he feels like his heart is gonna burst because of happiness. It’s different, it’s addicting, and he doesn’t want to let go of it.

“Hey, Kageyama.”

“What?”

“Let’s talk about this” —he squeezes the setter’s hand— “some other time, yeah?”

Kageyama looks at him and nods. “We should.”

Shoyo can’t say that it’s because of the rumor why he’s now here, holding hands with Kageyama while walking to his house, but maybe it’s one of the things that helped him realize how he so much hated the thought of Kageyama with someone? What do you call that? Right, jealousy.

No, he will not call the rumor a blessing in disguise because he’s sure that he already liked Kageyama even before the rumor happened. So even without the rumor, he’s still bound to realize his feelings, maybe not as early as this but he knows that it will eventually happen.

Because just like how Kageyama feels happy when he’s with him, Shoyo also feels the same way when he’s with him and he already realized that earlier of their blooming friendship.

So yeah, this is something that Shoyo never expected to happen. Who would have thought that one day, he’s going to love holding Kageyama’s hand? Not him, for sure. 

#